Microsoft discloses details of Windows Small Business Server 2008

Since 1997 Microsoft has started to design an integrated server suite for running network infrastructure (both intranet management and Internet access) of small and medium enterprises having no more than 75 workstations or users. This suite is known as Windows Small Business Server (formerly Microsoft Small Business Server).

Photo: Microsoft discloses details of Windows Small Business Server 2008

This year is not an exception. On Wednesday the company unveiled the details of the next version of its suite.

Windows Small Business Server 2008 (codenamed Cougar) (64-bit only) is based on Windows Server 2008 and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, SQL Server 2005, System Center Essentials 2007. System Center Essentials combines aspects of Operations Manager, Configuration Manager, and Windows Server Update Services. It will also include a revamped quick and incremental backup solution based on snapshot technology. Backups can be scheduled as often as 30 minutes. Tape backup is no longer supported.

Small Business Server 2008 will need to be installed behind some kind of firewall such as a hardware router or a software firewall such as ISA. ISA Server is not supported on the small business server, itself, though it can be installed on a separate server. The single-NIC model will be the only mode.

SBS 2008 is designed for companies with up to 50 PCs and includes one-year trial subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business Edition and Windows Live OneCare for Server.

SBS 2008 has a predicted launch date in August 2008, six months after the launch of Windows Server 2008 on Feb 27th 2008.

Application server technologies are tightly integrated to enable small businesses with targeted solutions such as the Remote Web Workplace, and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, a unified management console, and remote access.